Green Goddess at the Civic Club of Harrisburg
Linus and Sally are sadly resigned having to wait another year for the Great Pumpkin to rise, but the good news is The Green Goddess emerged yesterday from the Women’s History Garden at the Civic Club in a special unveiling ceremony.
“The Green Goddess”
A tribute to topiary timelessness, the Goddess embodies the legendary legion of women, who through their efforts and accomplishments since 1898, have completely changed the landscape of the Harrisburg community. Contrena Baltimore, Civic Club president, presented the sculpture in honor of their legacy as pioneers of philanthropic endeavors.
How to Put More Fiber (Art) in Your Diet
From Both Sides of the Susquehanna
3rd in The Burg at the AAH
“Stitched & Woven” is the title for the latest art installation at the Art Association of Harrisburg, curated by its director of exhibitions and master of ceremonies, Nate Foster. The exhibit features a trio of female artists; Jordan Bashore, Andrea Finch and Karen Troyer, who deftly weave a template for the senses full of magic and wonder.
Jordan Bashore of Harrisburg leans into spirituality and the high calling of motherhood, a journey she is undergoing as the two are inextricably interwoven. As a parent, nurturing your child and watching them blossom with every stage is life’s greatest joy. Her fiber path is reflective and reverential, working with tulle, silk and acorns, bringing the beauty from nature to adorn a hand-woven kimono. Jordan is “exploring the relationship between artmaking and motherhood,” a never-ending story.
Andrea Finch of Chambersburg creates fiber art that is “otherworldly” in the best sense of the word. From her intuitive imagination, she is guided by the fabric’s feel, features and figurative facets forming fiber sculptures that incorporate her love of botany. No textile is beyond Andrea’s grasp as she employs tablecloths, curtains, clothing and quilts, to name but a few. Her tactile tableau begs the viewer to touch and feel, although that would be stepping over an undrawn line. An artist cannot ask for anything more than to know her work is that embraceable.
Karen Troyer of Mechanicsburg encapsulates incidents of global consequence through her quilts, often symbolic in their storytelling. From the far corners of the world, she identifies cataclysmic cracks in the society of mankind to bring an awareness to tragedies that touch each and every one to varying degrees. We all hold a responsibility for positive change.
This exceptional exhibit, edifying and enlightening runs through Nov. 27.
“Copse” by Carol Reed
New Gallery and More Fiber in the Borough (Carlisle)
The last leaves are falling from the trees, but you can still view the forest at a “new to us” art space in Carlisle that is well worth the 30-minute drive. Fiber artist extraordinaire, Carol Reed’s groundbreaking “Copse: a Small Gathering of Trees” is like a breath of fresh air. With five more dates in November on the following two weekends…mark your calendar now. This exceptional exhibit at The Gallery at JNStudios, owned and curated by Jennifer Naslund, is found at 175 E. Louther St., just blocks away from the downtown square. Drink it all in—it is a powerful presentation of 16 individual works. We were fortunate to be invited to the opening night reception, which played to a standing-room-only crowd of art lovers and patrons. Standout pieces are “Hanging On,” “Conflagration” and “Altar,” but you be the judge. All works are available to purchase. Four sold opening night yet are still available to view. The gallery is open, spacious and lends a capricious air to what is a true homage to the very living things that keep us breathing—the trees that surround us. Gallery hours are Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by appointment. Contact the gallery at TheGalleryAtJNStudios.com or by phone at 412-721-9955.
Carol’s backstory presents a well-rounded artist with a whole other dimension to her craft. Her fiber art extends way beyond the works themselves. Organic in nature, she is a textile technician creating indelible indigo dyes and enchanted eucalyptus as patterns emerge embodying everything from fantastical flora to Rorschach inkblots on apparel, adorning sweaters, socks and, if it were still used today, even sack cloth. A dyed-in-the wool purest, Carol subscribes to old school methodology of always taking the more difficult yet authentic path. For her, that is the only one true way to dye.
Even More Fiber (Yikes!) @ CALC
On your way upstairs at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center shop, visit their annual “Art for the Holidays” market, which fills the entire downstairs gallery. Once you reach the second floor, you may come “Unraveled” as you view a fiber art extravaganza of an exhibit that features weavers, quilters, stitchers and dyers. Veteran artists include Andrea Finch, Barbara Warfel, Craig Bomberger, Deb Fingerlow, Joh Ricci, Rebecca Adey, Michelle Moats, and, of course, Carol Reed. The name Beth gets double billing with artists Beth Reese and Beth Rice. Add one more and you’ll have it thrice. Rounding out the gallery works are Mary Cantore, Miki Howell, April Bilbrey, Deborah Smith, Erica Hillegas, Gail Lenhart, Ginny Streckwald, Joanne Bast, MacKenzie Bytof and Tara Barnard.
Third Annual Holiday Hygge Market
Hygge Market hostess, Kirsten Olson, celebrated ceramicist, is joined by friends and fellow artists for this third annual (Hu-gah) Market. April Hammond of Cloth, Nelly Smith of Weft Weaving, and Carol Reed of Dye Lab will be selling their artisanal crafts, clothing, botanically dyed textiles, home goods, hand-fabricated jewelry, and accessories for this three-day event from Nov. 28 to 30 @The Penny Gallery at 32 W. Pomfret St. in Carlisle. For more information: www.kolsonceramics.com
Millworks Bi-Annual Odd Ones Bizarre
Mark your calendar for Saturday, Nov. 29 (Small Business Saturday) as Millworks rolls out its holiday studio party featuring the art of 40 different in-house creatives as well as a gaggle of gifts found in the main lobby store. Mix and mingle and share some jingle (coins, folding money, and credit cards welcome).
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